No matter what you think about bears, when someone says, “I saw a bear,” you listen. If you want to see a bear, then you must attend the Black Bear Festival in Plymouth, NC, June 5 & 6, 2026 Increasingly, we are seeing bears here in eastern North Carolina. They are mostly in the coastal… Click to read more about Black Bears and the Black Bear Festival in eastern NC
Chloe Tuttle
Strawberry Picking Time Strawberry picking is a spring tradition in eastern North Carolina. Guests at Big Mill B&B Extended Stay have several great options nearby. For pick-your-own strawberries, visit Griffin’s Farm Market on US 17 in Washington, NC – about 15 miles south of Big Mill – or SouthSide Farms in Chocowinity, roughly 25 miles… Read more about strawberry picking in eastern North Carolina
Winter had been cold here in eastern North Carolina and Moses, the farm kitty, was ready to sit on the back steps and socialize with the guests here at Big Mill Bed and Breakfast Extended Stay. Moses has passed, so sad, but now Raisin has taken the job. While waiting for spring to arrive, I decided… Click here to get the recipe for mouse biscotti, there really is a recipe
Americans have a love affair with our marshmallow PEEPS … and we eat more than our share – we will eat 600 million PEEPS this Easter. (I call them all PEEPS, even if they are bunnies.) PEEPS marshmallow candy – those bright-colored chicks and bunnies that we see at Easter have a long history. In 1953… Read more
The Message of Easter – free outdoor drama near Williamston, North Carolina 2026 is the 47th year that the folks of Piney Grove Baptist Church in the Farm Life Community near Williamston, NC, have been performing this 90-minute outdoor drama of the life and death of Jesus Christ. North Carolina loves its outdoor dramas. Every… Click to read about the Message of Easter Outdoor Drama in easatern NC
Sausage Gravy is a southern comfort food. We southerners have always enjoyed good pork sausage – when I was young, we raised hogs and had hog killings. And we didn’t waste anything, not even grease, fat or lard; hence, our love of sausage gravy. This recipe was given to me by one of my long… Click to get Chloe’s recipe for Sausage Gravy
A Hurricane Tradition: Nurse Nancy’s Famous Chili with a Secret Twist When I worked at our local hospital, I had a dear friend Nurse Nancy, who lived on the Pamlico River. Whenever a hurricane threatened Eastern North Carolina, she packed up and came to stay with me. And every time, without fail, we made her… Click to read about how this chili recipe came to be
Back in December 2012, Scott Simon from NPR’s Weekend Edition called to interview me about my snow cream – and just like that, it became famous. When it snows in eastern North Carolina, we absolutely fall to pieces. The moment the weather man whispers the word “snow,” folks rush out and clear every shelf of… Click to get Snow Cream Recipe
I just love this Pozole Recipe. Pozole is a Mexican Soup that is usually made with pork; this recipe is made with chicken. It can be made in a crock pot if you prefer. Hominy has always held a special place in my heart. Growing up, it was often served alongside country ham on chilly… Read more
This EGGNOG Recipe is the best ever, and it is made with real eggs. Whip up this eggnog at least 2-3 weeks before you plan to sip; it’s quick to make but notoriously messy. I almost made the mess that couldn’t be cleaned up. National Public Radio (NPR) wanted proof that it was safe, so… Click to get recipe and to see why this eggnog is Safe!
